Typewriting machine



Lszasss] J- A. B. SMITH TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Nov. 4, 1922 Patented Feb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE A. B. SMITH, 0F STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 'IO UNDER/WOOD TYPE- WIRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING- MACHINE.

Application filed November 4, 1922.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J nssn A. B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Stamford, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to typewriting machines, and is herein disclosed as applied to an Underwood continuous billing machine, one form of which is shown in United States Letters Patent to W'ernery & Smith, No. 1,182,055, dated March 16, 1915. In such machines, it is common to use fanfolded webs which are threaded through a carbon-paper carriage; the latter being reciprocatory on a rearward extension of the typewriter-platen carriage, and the web being fed onto this extension or table from the rear thereof.

It is customary to slit such fan-folded webs longitudinally while they are in the typewriting machine. This slitting is done by means of a blade or blades provided in the typewriting machine. The slitting follows along the line of. the fold. At the fold line the web is usually perforated at the same time that it is printed. These lines of perforations are imperfect, and, in many cases, it happens that a space of sometimes several inches is skipped by the per- :torating device in a printing-press. Owing to these imperfections, the slitting knife provided in the typewriting machine fails to make a true slit, and is apt to foul the sheet and tear it, and to make irregular cuts therein. One of the tendencies is for the knife to open out the fold of the web where it is intended to slit the same. This tendency may be opposed by means of the sideedge gage of a web; but, in some cases, the web is so folded as to present both wide and narrow plies, and suitable guides for the narrow plies cannot readily be provided, although it is desired to slit the folds of the narrow plies.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome this difliculty, and to enable the typewritenknife. which is usual- 1y provided upon the carbon=carrier, to slit the web, notwithstanding the imperfections in the original perforating of the web above noted, and notwithstanding the folding of Serial No. 598,972.

the web into both wide and narrow plies, and without the necessity of unduly sharpening the slitting blade in a typewriting machine.

To accomplish this result, the entire web is made taut for its full length from the platen of the typewriting machine back to a polnt where it enters the machine; or at least all that portion of the web which is to be slitted is first made taut and is held taut during the slitting operation. Because of the tautness, the slitting knife, even if dull, will follow the fold of the web and slit the same without fouling or tearing into the body of the web, and the same will be true of both wide and narrow plies; and, since the web is held taut, the side guides for the web, although they may be retained, are of less importance than formerly.

Before tautening the web, the platen of the typewriter is swung upwardly to enable the web to be straightened out. The web is then drawn forward to the usual gage, at which time it may be tautened at its rear portion. The tautening device may be in the nature of something that grips the web at the point where it turns downwardly at the back of the typewriting machine. This gripper may pull the web backwardly until a it is tight, and may hold it firmly in taut condition during the slitting operation. Then the web may be released from the control of the tautening means.

The tautening device may be in the nature of a rubber bar or gripper that presses the web against the horizontal bar at the rear of the machine over which the web turns to creep forwardly within the typewriter. The tendency of the rubber is to pull the web backwardly around said horizontal bar, and this backward pulling may proceed until the web is sufficiently taut. This motion of the rubber gripper may be produced by means of a handle at the front of the typewriter, on which an operating rod may extend back to the gripper, the latter being pivoted upon the carrier which ex tends back from the paper-carriage to the typewriter. The handle may be operated to cause the gripper to tauten the web, and the parts may be held in this position by means of a tautening spring, so that the web will remain taut as long as desired. Then the handle may be operated to release the gripper and the web; and the same spring may then hold the gripper in normal ineffective position.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly crosssectional, of the platen-carriage and connected carbon-carrier table and associated parts; the full-line position of the platen being that to which the platen is thrown for removal of the leading, typed webform, and for advance of the web to present a succeeding untyped form to the platen; and the web-gripper being in effective position to permit tautcning of the web preliminary to movement of the cutter-blades rearward with the carbons from one to another form-section of the web.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the rear of the carbon-carrier table, showing the gripper in its normal or ineffective position.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the carboncarrier table and parts thereon.

The platen 10 is carried by an axle 11, journaled in arms 12, forming part of a frame pivoted at 13 to the carriage, so as to permit the platen to be swung between its dotted-line, typing position and the fullline position, shown in Figure 1. The platen-carriage comprises the the usual side plates 14, connected at the rear by a crosspiece 15, which supports the rear paper table and apron 16. A red 17, over which the web is turned for passage down behind and around the platen, is also carried in the side plates of the carriage. The carriage is mounted to have movement in letter-feed and return directions on rails (not shown) on the main frame of the machine. The swinging frame, of which the arms 12 are parts, also comprises arms 18 for supporting the same on the rod 17 with the platen in its dotted-line, Figure 1, typing position. The swinging frame carries the front paper-table 19 and a gage-bar 20, forming an extension thereof. 1%. gage 21, to which the leading edge of the web is drawn, for removal of the typed form-section and placement of the succeeding untyped formsection, is adjustable on the gage-bar 20 in the usual manner. In Figure 1, the front paper-table and gage-bar are shown as in substantially horizontal position when the platen-frame is swung up. hen the platen is in typing position, the front paper-table and gage are in an upward and rearward incline. Line-space movement of the platen, in either of its positions, is effected by means of the usual line-space mechanism (not shown), through certain gearing, part of which is shown at 22. This gearing and other parts, just described, are more fully shown in United States Letters Patent to Fortin, No. 1,237,319, granted August 21, 1917, to which reference is made for fuller illustration thereof.

Attached to the carriage are brackets 23, for supporting the forward end of the car hon-carriage table 2 1. The brackets 23 have ears 25 turned upward thereon, and the ears 25 carry a bar 26, which forms the front cross-piece of the carbon-carrier table. The bar 26 is held to the cars 25 by screws 27. On the table 2a is a. carbon holder and carrier 28, adapted to move with the carbons (not she *n) and with the web 29 toward the platen as the carbons and web have their line-feed movements around the platen, and adapted to he moved i'iackward with the carbons, independently of the web. to draw the carbons into a succeeding websection after the leading web-section has been typed and the carbons released by movement of the platen from its dotted to its full-line, Figure 1, position. It is unnecessary here to describe in detail the entire construction of the table and associated parts, reference being made to the aforesaid Fortin patent for such description thereof as may be desired. Suffice here to say that the carbonholder of the Fortin patent comprises a plate 30, having secured thereto a number of clips 31, each of which clips engages and holds the rear end of a carbonsheet; the several clips being set on steps 32. one above another, more conveniently to enter and slide between the oppositely-directed folds of the web. The truck or carhon-carriage. of which the plate 31 forms a part, has roller-bearings (not shown) on rails 33, secured at their forward ends to the cross-bar 2G and at their rear ends to cross-bar An arm 35, secured to one of the side pieces of the truck, has a fingerpiece 36 at its forward end, by means of which the carbon-carrier with the carbons may be moved. rearward relatively to the web. Secured to the under surface of the table 24 are brackets 37, carrying rollers 38, which ride on a rail 39 on a standard 10; so that the carbon-carrier table, which is secured at its forward end to the platen-carriage, may be moved with the latter in letter-feed and return directions.

The manifold web, which is preferably cross-folded in a pack in a suitable container, at the rear of: the stand, which supports the machine, is led vertically upward. as at 1-1, around a rod 12 on the table 2 1-. at the rear of the latter, and thence horizontally forward to the platen-carriage. At

and forward of the clips 31, the ii'iterleaving of the carbons with the web-plies takes place. lVhen, as in typing, the web and carbons are turned down over the rod 17. and around the platen, the carbons are held against movement lengthwise of the web. When, however, on completion of typing of ice the leading form-section, the platen is swung up to full-line, Figure 1, position, it releases the web and carbons. Thereupon, with the fingers of one hand, the leading edge of the web may be seized and drawn to the gage, and, with the fingers of the other hand, the carbon-carrier is moved rearward to take the carbons out of the typed leading form into the succeeding untyped form.

As hereinbefore stated, the web is perforated on the lines of the longitudinal folds hereof; and it is old in the art to utilize the clips 31, in the rearward movement of the carbon-carrier, as knives to sever the plies of the webs on the lines of such perforations. In Figure 3, each clip 31 is shown as having a finger 43 formed thereon, and this finger, where it connects with the clip-proper, forms an inclined ply severing edge.

In accordance with the present invention, the following device is employed for maintaining tautness in that portion of the web which is to be operated upon by the severing fingers 43. Pivoted at 44 to bracketarms 45, depending from the rear crosspiece 34 of the carbon-carrier table, is a bail comprising a web-gripping bar 46 and supporting arms 47 therefor. The normal position of this bail is that shown in Figure 2; and it is held in this position by means of springs 48, which connect at 49 to lingers 50 on the brackets 45, and which connect at 51 to the bail-arms 47. The springs 48, when below dead center, as shown in Figure 2, tend to swing and hold the bail clear of the web 41 at the rear thereof. Connected at 52 to one of the bail-arms 47 is a link 53, which, at its forward end, connects at 54 with an arm 55, pivotally mounted on the front cross-rod 26 of the carbon-carrier table. The arm 55 carries a finger-piece 56, by means of which the link 53 and its connected bail may be drawn forward from normal, Figure 2, position to Figure l position.

Upon forward movement of the bail from Figure 2 to Figure 1 position, it will be noted that the bar 46 first forces the web around under the bar 34, and then holds the web immovably against the bar 34. The bar 46 is shown as somewhat tapered so as to have a wedge-like action on the bar 34. The bar 46 is, furthermore, shown as having a covering 57 of material which is somewhat yieldable and which may obtain a frictional hold upon the web; so that, if the forward end of the web be held at the gage and the web-gripping device be actuated, the bar 46, in engaging the web, will exert a rearward pull thereon, to take up any slack in that portion of the web between the bar 34 and gage. When the gripper-bar reaches its Figure 1 position, it will be held in such position by the springs 48, which, it will be noted, have passed above dead center, and exert a forward pull 011 the bail, tending to move the gripper to maintain the tension of the web as the slitters move to the rear. The bail being held in effective position by the springs 48, the operator may to draw forward a suiiicient length of web.

to form a loop beneath the platen. As the web is thus drawn forward it moves the gripper bar 46 to ineffective position by frictional engagement therewith. This obviates the necessity of a separate actuation of the finger-piece 56 for rendering the gripper ineffective.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, a platen-carriage, a rotary platen therein, a table con nected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter movable lengthwise of the web on the table for severingthe plies of the web, and means for gripping and pulling the web taut preparatory to actuation of the cutter.

In a typewriting machine, a platen-carriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platenf'a ciitter movable lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means, mounted on the table at the rear thereof and approached by the cutter in its cutting operation, for gripping and pulling the web taut preparatory to actuation of the cutter.

3. In a typewriting machine, a platen-car riage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter movable lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, a gripper on the table, rockable to position for gripping and drawing taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated, a link connected to and extending forward from the gripper and a finger-piece, connected to tit) &

the link and stationarily mounted on the table at the front thereof, for actuating the gripper.

4, In a typewriting machine, a platen-carriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and a bail pivoted to the under side of the table and 1'O(l(tl)l to position against a cross-piece of the table to grip and hold taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated.

5. In a typewriting machine, a platen-can riage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, a cross-piece on the table, a bar mounted to be swung to the cross-piece, for holding the web taut against the cross-piece when the cutter is to be actuated, and means for operating said bar between ett'ective and ineffective positions.

6. In a typewriting machine, a platen-carriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means for gripping and lraw ing rearward on the web to tauten the web when the cutter is to be actuated.

'7. In a typewriting machine, a platen-can riage, a. rotary platen therein, a table con nected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated; said gripping means being movable to the table to pinch the web be tween the same and the table.

8. In a typewriting machine, a platencarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen. a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated: said gripping means being movable to the table to pinch the web between the same and the table, and being wedge-shaped to exert a rearward pull on the web.

9. In a typewriting machine, a platencarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated; said gripping means having a surface of a material to effect a frictional hold on the web, and being movable in a direc tion to exert a rearward pull on the web.

10. In a typewriting machine, a platencarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated; said gripping means comprising a device pivoted below the table to be swung across the path of the portion of the web depending from the rear of the table, and a cross-piece against which the web is pinched, and around which the web is wrapped and drawn, by said device when the latter is so swung.

1]. In a typewriting machine, a platenarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the. rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen. a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, and means for gripping and hold ing taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated; said gripping means comprising a device pivoted below the table to be swung forward across the path of the portion of the web depending from the rear of the table, and a cross-piece against which the web is pinched by said device when the latter is so swung.

12. In a typewriting machine a platencarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, means operable to and from position for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is .to be actuated, and means acting automatically to hold the gripper in its effective position when the gripper operated to said position.

13. In a typewriting machine, a platencarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thcreover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the Web, means for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated, and means acting automatically to hold the gripper in its ineffective position when the gripper is returned manually to its normal or ineffective position.

14. In a typewriting machine, a platencarriage, a rotary platen therein, a table connected to the carriage at the rear thereof, means on the table for guiding a continuous, longitudinally folded, web thereover to the platen, a cutter reciprocatory lengthwise of the web on the table for severing the plies of the web, means for gripping and holding taut the web when the cutter is to be actuated, and a spring connected to the gripper and swingable therewith from one to the other side of a dead center, for holding the gripper in the position to which the same is thrown.

15. In a typewriting machine, a platen, a cutter movable lengthwise of a multiple ply work-web in the machine for severing the plies of the web, and means, beyond the range of the cutter and approached by the cutter at the cutting operation, for tautening the web to facilitate the cutting thereof.

16. I11 a continuous billing typewriting' machine, for typing on a continuous fanfold web, a carriage, a revoluble platen therein displaceable to permit the web to be straightened for carbon-shifting, a carbon-carrier reciprocable toward and from the platen, cutters on the carbon-carrier for cutting the web-plies apart as the carbon carrier is moved to the rear at carbon-shifting, aweb-tautener movable to effective position preparatory to the movement of the carbon-carrier to out the Web-plies apart, and means constructed to retain the tautener in effective position during such cutting, the tautener being constructed and arranged to be moved automatically to ineflective po sition by frictional drag of the web upon it at the drawing forward of the web caused by the lowering of the platen from the displaced to the normal writing position thereof.

JESSE A. B. SMITH.

Witnesses EDITH B. LIBBEY, JENNIE P. THORNE. 

